Pre-match: 2026 World Cup Roster

Is Gozo even on the 55 man roster though? I’d think/ hope so, but not a given.

 

We don't know and likely won't know what the provisional roster is. That said, I would probably struggle to get to 45 players that I'd want on the team in the event that some of my first-choice 26 couldn't go. Gozo is almost certainly on that 55-man provisional list.

 

Yeah. I would agree. He’s sort of an expressive guy and his enthusiasm can be read as yearning. But I think he’s actually anchoring on a positive memory as a way to reset and get back on track.

At some level, he’s probably incredibly disappointed right now which is quite natural.

 

Far fewer logistical concerns for the USA than other nations. It’s not really very hard to gather a bunch of Americans in Los Angeles and Seattle on relatively short notice.

 

Not sure it should be the last spot that he occupies.

 

Also......................we've literally had the roster release date, time, and even location known for a long time.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Rooftop at Pier 17, South Street Seaport, New York City
Broadcast: Live on FOX and available to stream via FOX’s mobile and desktop platforms

U.S. Soccer to Host First-Ever Live USMNT World Cup Roster Reveal & Fan Celebration in New York City

Instead of just posting something on twitter, the players are actually going to be there.
So the announcer, Rob Stone or somebody is going to say:

AND NOW FOR YOUR GOALKEEPERS!

MATT FREESE from Wayne, Pennsylvania and NYCFC!!!!!

.............................and then Matt Freese is going to walk out to raucous applause and celebration.

You couldn't do that last weekend. Guys are still playing. In fact, by May 26th one or two won't be able to make it. Chris Richards for sure.

 

https://www.fotmob.com/players/1126058/malik-tillman

Tillman's fancy stats paint a more nuanced picture. The zero assists will jump out at you, and while his xA per 90 (0.16) is still mediocre, it's not atrocious (it's slightly better than Aaronson's .13, for instance). And Tillman's 'activity stats' tell you something that that had been talked about with Bayer, which is that he may be lining up as a 10, but the coach is asking him to play like another 8. His overall FotMob of 6.9 (7.1 in Bundesliga play) say he's actually been quite all right at that part.

I was going to say about those guys that while McGlynn is not on my plane, I think all three of them (McGlynn, Berhalter, Luna) could play in the Serie A. I'm not sure they'll get their chance, though, because of money. The teams that would play them can't afford them.

Re: Banks, don't touch him, it's too late. You could wreck the locker room bringing in a guy that dithered about being on the team and turned down a callup a month before the selection.

 

We’re unlikely to know for sure but I think almost certainly.

 

I actually think it's smart to not name the roster until after the last set of games where players could be injured. Does anyone think a player not initially named until an injury doesn't have a few negative thoughts? Of course players may think they are the injury replacement but they don't know it as things can domino depending on who was injured.

 

Okay guys. One week from roster announcement. Here’s my BEST 11 for game 1. Regardless of opponent for the moment, (I get an extra DM might be needed or a positional change), this is who I think makes up our STRONGEST 11.

GK: Freese
LB: Jedi
CB: Ream
CB: Richards
RB: Dest
DM: Adams
DM/AM: Wes
M: Pulisic
M: Weah
M: Tillman
F: Balogun

To me, back 4, steady Adams, and that lot up
Top could be a fun team. For me, that’s the Top 11 right now. I get changes will be made depending on who we play, blah blah, but this is the 11 I want to start.

 

I don't think Banks will be called in to our WC team. But IF HE IS:

Getting Banks to commit to the usa would be a BIG deal. Especially for the WCs in the future. Our back line is weak.

We are DEPENDENT on getting star dual-nationals, especially ones that are young. Our native player supply chain is mediocre.

The fact that Germany is interested in him shows the potential he has.

Locker room? Banks played for our U-xx teams. He is a natural citizen. The only one who will be pi**ed is the player who gets bumped.

 

I do find it odd what went on the last 6 weeks or so of the season. Why'd his playing time disappear?

 

But I just found my cleats!

 

If they're 35 years old like mine, we're both a long shot…

 

Reminds me of when MLS was getting started, the Galaxy announced open tryouts. I was in my late 20s and was going to go. It was only going to take the. 30 seconds to cut me, but I’d be able to say I tried out for a pro team. Alas, when I found my cleats in the back of the closet, the soles had disintegrated. And buying cleats for a 30 second cameo was going a bit too far, so I never went.

 

35? Man, those are young!

 

Tim Weah’s IG story has him currently in New York, New York.

 

Banks would be nice...but Ream apparently needs a spot.

I'd be fine taking chances on guys like Gozo and Banks ('chance' is strong these guys belong there on recent club merit...they aren't Julian Green's). But you would have to send a Ream or Reyna home for that. And people think these guys are mercurial (read: if we are relying on these guys we won't be making it out of the group probably)

 

Banks literally is not committed to the USMNT.
We have his own tweets on that matter.
Why are people bringing up his name?

 

There was a rumor from Edgar on Tweeter

 

How the hell would he know?

Noahkai Banks, it should be noted, hasn't started a game since March 7th.

He's played 29 minutes in the last two months.

I do think its possible that he could be named as an alternate. The alternates should be training with the team at this next friendly camp until the last minute. But I currently have Trusty as an alternate.

What's even more laughable is anyone who suggests we're dropping Ream for Banks. Yes, we're going to drop the captain for a teenager that wouldn't commit in time to play previous camps. Yes, that's what coaches do on World Cup rosters..................................

 

Well, you sound like you don’t really pay very close attention. But he has been right about some things. He has inside knowledge somehow. But don’t let me make you mad by answering the question you asked.

 

I was always iffy on Edgar but it's kind hard to argue with him leaking the entire 55 man preliminary squad for The Gold Cup.

Banks almost certainly has to be on the preliminary roster.

 

If the answer to my question is a CONCACAF Edgar tweet, then yes, I heap scorn on it..........................................................

...................just like I heap scorn on people who quote Tactical Manager as some sort of actual source of information.

 

Clint! I was one the original Tim Ream guys! And I represent the fact that he is seen as mercurial for the team! He's just 38 and younger legs will be better suited for a long World Cup run (Richards is our leading CB now anyway despite all the caps Ream has gotten). So, considering that, I would take an older guy off the team for a younger guy.

Banks is just an example of an young guy whose season of work means a edge roster spot would be fine. That is all.